Include Rowville and Doncaster rail in infrastructure blitz

The benefits of Victoria’s infrastructure developments will outweigh the short term pain of road and public transport disruptions, but even more public transport projects need the green light according to Transport Matters Party leader Rod Barton. 

Action on touting needed now says Barton

A private members bill to stop touting and tighten safety flaws around commercial passenger vehicle registrations will be introduced by Transport Matters Party leader Rod Barton when Parliament returns in August. 

Rework the North East Link to save Bulleen businesses and 1200 jobs says MP

The cost of fairly compensating and relocating these business, plus the negative impact of removing a precinct that contributed over $132 million each year to the local community deserved more than the cursory mention in the Environmental Effects Statement. 

Victorian’s start paying tolls that pay for roads they don’t use

“When the tolling legislation passed parliament back in March I tried to get some concessions for public transport operators and for families driving dual cab utes, but the government said no,” said Mr Barton.

Ozanam House a great boost for homelessness accommodation

“Bringing these services together into a single facility, which includes medical and support services, showers, meals and storage facilities is a great initiative that really addresses the needs of those experiencing homelessness in our city,” said Mr Barton.

Barton welcomes community input into regional road safety

Getting the community on board to tackle the growing number of accidents, serious injuries and lives lost on roads in regional Victoria is the best way to combat the problem says Transport Matters Party leader Rod Barton.

North East Link “lawyering up” for EES panel hearings under fire

In Parliament I have asked that the Minister for Planning, who will ultimately sign the project approvals, to assure the public that the North East Link panel hearings will be fair and transparent and that the “lawyering up” by the project managers won’t hijack the process and disadvantage the pub…

Gaps highlighted in North East Link plans

Traffic, job losses, noise, poor amenity and environment impacts are among the many issues raised by stakeholders in submissions to the main approval process for the North East Link Toll road.

Upper House MP Rod Barton, whose Eastern Metro electorate is hardest hit by the $16 billion project, says…

Spotlight firmly on hidden homelessness in Victoria

A full investigation into the causes of and measures needed to combat the hidden problem of homelessness  will be undertaken in Victoria.  Eastern Metropolitan Melbourne member Rod Barton presented a motion today calling for independent analysis of the changing scale and nature of homelessness across…

Expansion of free tram zone and free transport for students and seniors

Extending the free tram zone to include Melbourne’s inner city hospitals, universities, sport and arts precincts came a step closer today with a motion from Transport Matters Party leader Rod Barton passed in the Legislative Council.

Taxi Regulator to be swallowed by Department of Transport

The former Taxi Services Commission will be swallowed by the State Government’s mega Department of Transport when it comes into operation at the beginning of July.

Touting offences back on the table

Penalties for touting are back on table following a huge increase in complaints about drivers approaching people at Melbourne Airport, major events and on Melbourne’s city streets.  Industry stakeholders will be consulted on options for managing touting, including reintroducing touting offences after…

Heartbroken industry encouraged to speak out

Heartbreaking tales of financial and personal ruin have been flooding into the office of Eastern Metropolitan MP Rod Barton after he called on the taxi and hire car industry to tell their stories to the Parliamentary Inquiry on the Commercial Passenger Vehicle Reforms. 

Include Rapid Transit Busway in early works

A high speed rapid transit busway proposed in the North East Link preliminary designs must be included in early works according to Transport Matters Party leader and member for Eastern Metropolitan Rod Barton.

Smart planning could save 300-year-old redgum

A fierce debate over the removal of a 300-year-old redgum to make way for a tollway on-ramp has highlighted the need for smarter infrastructure planning. State Member for Eastern Metro Rod Barton, whose electorate traverses the site of the proposed toll road, says the rush to deliver the $15.8 billion…